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TRIP TO THAILAND, MALAYSIA AND PAKISTAN

International Christian Voice is committed to highlighting the plight of persecuted, marginalized,

and vulnerable religious minorities in Pakistan.

In pursuance of our goal to successfully bring to Canada our most recently sponsored refugee family - for whom our community and friends have so generously donated to meet their financial obligations - it became necessary to visit Pakistan and Thailand to assess firsthand the difficulties from which this family and others are suffering. Further, it is important for ICV to educate and bring awareness to asylum seekers on how to properly apply for Canadian immigration under Canada's Private Sponsorship Program and other programs.During the sponsorship process, ICV encountered a serious roadblock when the office of the UNHCR did not accept the application for our sponsored family, claiming that since the husband died in Thailand, his wife and children were no longer in danger in Pakistan and hence should go back to Pakistan.

Progress Report on the Faris Family

In November 2015, International Christian Voice visited Pakistani Christian refugees in Thailand to survey the severity of their living conditions. During our visit, we met the Faris family and heard their story. Mr. Ayub Faris and his family fled from Pakistan to save their lives after an attempted kidnapping of his 16 year old daughter, Aanya, was made by a local Islamic fundamentalist. Fortunately, she was able to escape, but the perpetrator remained adamant on kidnapping her and forcing the family to convert. In this dire situation, the quickest and easiest option for the family was to flee to Thailand.

HAPPY BLESSED AND JOY FILLED EASTER

On behalf of International Christian Voice (ICV), I would like to wish you all a very happy and blessed Resurrection Day. Every year we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, who came into this world to redeem the suffering humanity and to unburden those who are bent under the heavy burden of oppression.

International Christian Voice strongly urges the Islamabad High Court to review its decision.

In a new setback for Pakistan’s Christians and other religious minorities, Islamabad’s High Court has ruled that Pakistani citizens must declare their religion when applying for identity documents such as birth certificates, national I.D. cards, voter’s lists, and passports. Every citizen’s true religion must also be visible when applying for jobs in the government, judiciary, armed forces, and other civil services.

Shahbaz Bhatti Memorial Gala 2018

International Christian Voice (ICV) held its second fundraiser gala in support of refugee families on the occasion of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti’s 7th death anniversary on Friday, March 2nd, 2018.

The gala, which was held at Westmount Event Centre in the city of Vaughan, Ontario was attended by distinguished human rights activists, representatives from the Canadian government, and residents of the Greater Toronto Area. The purpose of the event was to carry forward the legacy of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti – Pakistan’s most renowned Christian freedom fighter who was assassinated on March 2, 2011 for his stance against religious intolerance in Pakistan – by raising funds to sponsor a deserving Pakistani refugee family suffering in Thailand. Organized with the strong support of Weston Road Pentecostal Church and the events many other generous donors, the Shahbaz Bhatti Memorial Gala highlighted the plight of victimized and persecuted Christians around the world.

SAIRA KHURRAM NEED YOUR HELP

Saira Khurram went to Thailand in November 2011 with her husband Khurram Ashiq and two children: Mariam Khurram, 6 years old and Musa Khurram, 5 years old, after facing persecution in Pakistan due to their Christianbelief.

Saira Khurram and her husband left everything they owned in Pakistan and applied for refugee status in Thailand. Since their arrival in Thailand they, have faced many problems. Under such dire circumstances, as head of the family, Saira’s husband, Khurram Ashiq, tried his best to support his family but faced many challenges while dealing with the UNHCR and the Thai Government. He suffered from anxiety and depression, which were worsened when his asylum case was refused by the UNHCR. This refusal was very hard on him emotionally and he could not handle the shock, eventually leading to a heart attack that took his life on October 19th, 2017.

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Exclusive footage of Shahbaz Bhatti\'s interview

TRIP TO THAILAND, MALAYSIA AND PAKISTAN

APRIL 30- MAY 15, 2018

International Christian Voice is committed to highlighting the plight of persecuted, marginalized,

and vulnerable religious minorities in Pakistan.

In pursuance of our goal to successfully bring to Canada our most recently sponsored refugee family - for whom our community and friends have so generously donated to meet their financial obligations - it became necessary to visit Pakistan and Thailand to assess firsthand the difficulties from which this family and others are suffering. Further, it is important for ICV to educate and bring awareness to asylum seekers on how to properly apply for Canadian immigration under Canada's Private Sponsorship Program and other programs.During the sponsorship process, ICV encountered a serious roadblock when the office of the UNHCR did not accept the application for our sponsored family, claiming that since the husband died in Thailand, his wife and children were no longer in danger in Pakistan and hence should go back to Pakistan.

Backgrounder - Diefenbaker Award and Recipients Shahbaz Bhatti

Shahbaz Bhatti was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in 2008 and named Federal Minister for Minorities a portfolio he accepted because of the opportunity it offered to defend the oppressed and marginalized of Pakistan.